Hello, new user here, but long time Dodge RAM owner. I drive a 2nd Gen 2001 RAM 2500 4X4 w/cummins. I bought this truck new in 02, and have loved this truck although still being a great strong truck, is showing it's age these days. I have the original factory installed batteries (2 ea) in this truck, and I think I need to replace them finally. I noticed that upon starting, even though it starts fine, it seems to have started dragging a little bit. Maybe showing the start of a starter issue, but being these batteries are over a decade old now, It may very well be time to start there in hopes it might remedy the on coming issue. What batteries would you recommened to replace these with. I live in a cold climate (Michigan) where winters can be rough, so I need a battery that will endure the cold weather as well as the originals have. Any suggestions before I start looking around for a couple batts?

P.S. I am considering after all this time installing a winch in the bed under my tool box. I still love my old truck and plan to keep it for years to come.

 

Yet another Michigander. Welcome to DF!

I just go to battery wholesale, and get the biggest, meanest, battery that will physically fit. I have seldom had to replace a battery a second time.

 

have any idea what size they are? it's a diesel and there are two of them to crank this beast. I think they are "group 27", but not sure. They need to be at least 700cca each if my memory serves. If you are in the great white like I am, Im sure you know how cold isn't very friendly to diesels. It take enough power to light a small city to crank this beast in the winter months, lol..

 

No clue, but, the guys at BW can look it up. If you are considering winch, I would go with a couple 1000CCA's at least.

 

Welcome to Dodge Forum!

I run an Optima Yellow Top in my truck and my Wrangler. I think it is 800CCA, can't remember off the top of my head. It turns my V10 over quick even when it below freezing. Can't see how two of them wouldn't be able to start a Cummins. I know the Optimas cost a bit more, but I've always liked them, had 'em for 8 years. I wouldn't mind getting a second battery tray out of a diesel to run in my truck actually.

 

A Group 27 is not that big. Surprised they are not bigger than that....(I think that's what's in my Yota....) I would recommend the largest that would fit as well, especially if you are thinking about a winch. But have them tested first. It may be the beginning of a starter issue.

 

Group 27 is a pretty decent sized battery for a private truck. There might be larger, but not unless ya get into the tractor trailer or buss batteries. Not sure, but there might be a physically larger battery for trucks. But, ya got to remember, these Cummins powered Dodges has two of them, not one. I ended up putting a couple group 27, 800 cca in it today and the old RAM is back in bitness. That's a total of 1600 cold cranking amps, so it should be fine. The stockers that were in it were only 700 cca. Bigger is better for some things, but ya don't want to go too large because it can overwork the alt trying to keep em full. If ya go much bigger than that, it would be better to replace cables, alt etc. Not sure what my alt is, but it's the big on because I got all the camper and towing package when I bought my truck new. That said, I think the alt if my memory serves is a 120 amp. I think 90 is standard on these things. But at any rate, thanks for all the replies. (BTW, yes the Optimas are awesome batteries. I always used them on my Jeeps. They work great being gel cell batteries for rough terrain. I used to really wheel my Jeeps and I wouldn't go off road without a gel cell. And yes, I think you are right, I think the yellow tops are 800 cca.

 

You should have a 136 amp alt, with all the assorted packages.

 

i bought 2 65 series batteries, for an 02 diesel for my 01 1500. the batteries are a little wide, but they work just fine. they are 850cca each, and 1000ca each. tell you what, ive never seen a 318 fire up so damn quickly!

 

Probably so. I bought my cummins new in 01 so it's been a few years and I couldn't remember. I knew it was something like that. I have both those packages (towing & camper), so it has all the HD oil coolers, big alt, springs, etc. I remember when I first bought my truck I had a friend with a Miata that died on her. She went to work the next day complaining when I jump started her with the Dodge, it damn near flipped her Miata upside down her starter spun so hard, lol.. She asked me if I connected my truck to grid to power the town at night, hahhah..